Top Ways To Honor Veterans In Denver For Veterans Day 2014

Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11, and there are lots of different ways to celebrate the day and to honor the men and women who have fought for this country. Grab the whole family and head out to one or more of these great events. You’ll find that they are all important in helping to learn about the sacrifices that the military veterans have made for the freedoms of this country. Whether you have a veteran in your family, or you just want to support the troops, here are a few different ways to honor Veterans Day in Denver this year.

Visit the Colorado Freedom Memorial to pay your respects to the nearly 6,000 Coloradans that have been killed or went missing in action. It’s the only military memorial to honor men and women from all branches and from all wars in one memorial. The beautiful glass panels are about 12 feet tall and 95 feet wide, with the names all etched into the glass. It’s designed for the visitor that is looking at the glass to be reflected so his or her image becomes a part of the memorial itself. It’s a stunning and moving tribute that is perfect for honoring Veterans Day in Denver.

Grab the whole family and celebrate Veterans Day with the 6th Annual Denver Veterans Day Run. This fun run starts in the Tivoli Commons area and will wind through Auraria campus, across Speer Boulevard, through the Cherry Creek bike path and down 14th Street to Civic Center Park. It’s open to runners of all ages and fitness levels. Hosted by the Colorado Veterans Project, the run benefits the Russell B. Rippetoe Foundation, a Captain who was killed in Iraq in 2003. His foundation was created to provide a scholarship to a senior ROTC Army Cadet. It’s a fantastic cause and a great way to get out and stay fit while honoring the many men and women who have lost their lives fighting for America.

Veterans Day Parade
Between Court Pl. and Welton St. along 15th and 17th Ave
Or Court Pl. and E. Colfax along N. Broadway
Denver, CO 80218www.denverveteransdayrun.com

Date. Nov. 8, 2014

If the run isn’t your thing, grab a seat along 15th Street, 17th Avenue or North Broadway to view the annual Veterans Day Parade, starting at 10 a.m. There will be veterans marching from all branches of the military as they head towards Civic Center Park for the festival. Bring the whole family, as a parade like this is the best way to start those important conversations with your children about honoring veterans and supporting the military.

Following the run and the parade will be the big Denver Veterans Day Festival in Civic Center Park. Everyone is welcome to come celebrate the day and there will be several different events planned throughout the day. From 12 to 3 p.m., there will be a flag football tournament, which will be followed with plenty of music, beer and other fun family activities from 3 to 6 p.m. You’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful Colorado sunshine as you pay tribute to local veterans. You’ll also get a chance to see many of them in uniform at the festival, so make sure to stop and thank someone for his or her service.

On November 11, all veterans and their families will receive free admission to the zoo, so you can spend the day enjoying the animals and exploring as a family. There will also be a free 90-minute guided tour offered for veterans to help give you even more information and fun for the day. Both admission and the tour is free, though you will need to register for the tour when you arrive. Take advantage of this great deal, and enjoy this special “thank you” from the Denver Zoo.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.